Porcine Training Models for Image-Guided Transoral Robotic Surgery

Image-guided surgical navigation could potentially improve the accuracy and safety of throat cancer resections in transoral robotic surgery (TORS). However, cost-effective and realistic research and training models for evaluating advancements in this technology remain limited. In this study, we present two porcine models that provide a realistic simulation of anatomic structures, including the tongue, larynx, and pharynx. The efficacy of the training models was evaluated in a series of experiments, in which a previously developed TORS navigation system was employed to guide surgeons in target localization tasks using a da Vinci surgical system.Clinical Relevance- The porcine models presented in this study are cost-effective and realistic research and training tools for assessing advancements in image-guided TORS. These models can be adapted for other ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedures such as transoral laser microsurgery (TLM).